Our kind friends at the Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health raised a grand total of $13,892,23 for the Christmas Cheer Board through their annual basket draw. That amount came from employees at both the Arlington Street and Portage Avenue locales.

These folks have so much fun raising funds for the Board through our Empty Stocking Fund that I wish I was allowed to buy tickets.

“It was definitely an Ikea year as four of the 24 baskets were of gift cards to be used at and were highly sought-after,” said Faye Kingyens of the CSCHAH social committee. “The baskets ranged this year from a couple of bottles of fine wine to one for $1,000 in cash donated by the Real Property Safety and Security Division and Commissionaires staff.”

The total was slightly less than last Christmas, but it is still one our very best fundraisers.

“Unfortunately, it is down a bit but we do have a few less people here now,” Kingyens said. “But it’s still very good for today’s economic situation.”

I’ll say, and it was a welcome amount for Cheer Board executive director Kai Madsen, who was presented with the cheque on Friday.

“It is just awesome,” he said. “You know, our donations are down this year and this helps hugely.”

The money is used to recover the costs of the Christmas hampers the Cheer Board assembles and delivers to needy families so they are able to actually enjoy Christmas.

“We are so happy to have been able to help make Christmas a bit more merry in these challenging economic times,” Kingyens said.

This is the 14th straight years that our basket-loving friends have helped us out and the Cheer Board has grown to depend on your generosity. And that total still is pretty darn good. So, thank you all and have a wonderful Christmas.

KIRKFIELD KASH: The Kirkfield Motor Hotel has ponied up yet another major donation for the Cheer Board’s kids. Hotel president Keith Dangerfield sent us a most welcome cheque for $1,350.

The total includes $450 raised by the meat draw that Norm Delongchamp ran for a couple of weeks in the bar, Dangerfield said.

Thank you, and enjoy your Christmas.

OLD FRIEND: Cheers to my old friend, Bruce (Juice) Johnson, who dropped off his annual donation and goodies from my wife. She thanks you and so do I. Sorry I missed you. Merry Christmas.

By the way, it’s never too late to donate even if Christmas Day passes. Madsen must still play his bills and he will gladly accept any more donations.

And Merry Christmas to you all.

MAILING: Please send whatever you can spare to the Sun’s Empty Stocking Fund, 1700 Church Ave., Wpg., Man. R2X 3A2. Receipts will be issued for donations of $10 or more.

'Bug building' crew comes through again for Christmas Cheer Board

Our kind friends at the Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health raised a grand total of $13,892,23 for the Christmas Cheer Board through their annual basket draw. That amount came from employees at both the Arlington Street and Portage Avenue locales.

These folks have so much fun raising funds for the Board through our Empty Stocking Fund that I wish I was allowed to buy tickets.

“It was definitely an Ikea year as four of the 24 baskets were of gift cards to be used at and were highly sought-after,” said Faye Kingyens of the CSCHAH social committee. “The baskets ranged this year from a couple of bottles of fine wine to one for $1,000 in cash donated by the Real Property Safety and Security Division and Commissionaires staff.”

The total was slightly less than last Christmas, but it is still one our very best fundraisers.